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Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, an ex-Jihadist once known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, is set to attend the 2025 United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The visit marks the first time a Syrian president has participated in the UN’s annual gathering since 1967.
Al-Sharaa, who once commanded jihadist factions linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, assumed the interim presidency in early 2025 following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
His participation in this year’s UNGA underscores Damascus’s attempt to re-enter international diplomacy after years of isolation.
The 44-year-old leader will also engage in a high-profile dialogue hosted by the Middle East Institute (MEI) alongside Charles Lister, director of MEI’s Syria Initiative.
The event is framed as an opportunity to discuss Syria’s political future, regional stability, and reconstruction plans.
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Controversy Over His Past
Al-Sharaa’s presence in New York has reignited memories of his militant past.
During the height of the Syrian conflict, he led factions of the al-Nusra Front, a group affiliated with al-Qaeda, and was at one point on the US government’s “most wanted” list with a $10 million bounty on his head.
Captured by US forces in 2006 while planting explosives, he was imprisoned in facilities including Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca before being released years later.
However, the US rescinded the bounty in 2024, shortly before he became president.
At the same time, his visit comes two weeks after the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
His presence at the event has invited criticism online, with many highlighting his extremist associations.
The event’s moderator, Charles Lister, has also faced scrutiny.
Lister, author of The Syrian Jihad: Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and the Evolution of an Insurgency, was previously criticized for classifying some al-Qaeda-aligned factions as “moderate rebels.”
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Why the Ex-Jihadist is Being Hosted at the UN
The Middle East Institute defends its decision to host al-Sharaa, saying dialogue is important to understanding Syria’s evolving political landscape.
Additionally, supporters argue his participation in the UNGA is a step toward Syria’s reintegration into the global order.
Meanwhile, reports suggest al-Sharaa may even meet with US President Donald Trump.
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